By
Dr. Munuwamy Narayana Sampath, Consultant Obstetrics and Gynecology
This
information is for you if you want to know more about polycystic ovary syndrome
(PCOS). It may be helpful if you are a patient, relative or friend of someone
who has PCOS.
The
information here aims to help you better understand your health and your
options for treatment and care.
Your
healthcare team at Tree Top Hospital, are there to support you in making
decisions that are right for you. They can help by discussing your situation
with you and answering your questions.
Key
points
- Polycystic
Ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition in which there is a hormone
imbalance.
- Estimates
of how many women it affects vary widely from 4-12 % of women.
- Polycystic
ovary syndrome (PCOS), because it affects the “ whole-body condition”, it has
been renamed to Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS)
Remember,
having polycystic ovaries on an ultrasound can does not necessarily mean that
you have PCOS/PMOS
Women
with PCOS/PMOS have symptoms as well as polycystic ovaries
- PCOS/PMOS
symptoms are
- Irregular
periods
- Fertility
issues
- Increased
hair on face and body (hirsutism)
- Loss
of hair on head
- Acne,
- Obesity
- Depression
and psychological problems and also affect
- Long-term
Health like increased insulin resistance and which increases risk of developing
Diabetes, heart disease and risk of uterus endometrial cancer
Women
with PCOS can reduce the risk of long term health problems by having a healthy
lifestyle and maintaining normal body weight.
You
may still become pregnant even if you do not have periods.
If
you do not want to become pregnant, you should seek advice from your
Gynecologist about contraception / birth control.
- Polycystic
ovaries do not ovulate regularly which is a main cause for fertility issues
- Also these ovaries release more male hormone called Testosterone which causes Insulin resistance which leads to weight gain, irregular periods and fertility problems. Increased weight may also lead to increased miscarriage rates. There is a high incidence of Diabetes in pregnancy in PCOS/PMOS.
In treating for Fertility issues, Gynecologist will start from life style modifications, diet –exercise to help achieve a target required body-weight. Then some medications to start ovulation by oral tablets or injections, medications to reduce insulin resistance.
Scans need to be done to check for ovulations.
If
after few months of trial of these medications there is no successful
pregnancy, then options of IVF pregnancy remains which the fertility doctors
will guide the whole condition.
The
team involved in the care consist of Gynecologist, Endocrinologist, Dietician,
Physiotherapist and Psychologist.